1920 Commercial Restoration for a Young Lady

Thor · 02-23-2012, 12:15 PM

This one just about broke my heart. What a sweet young lady this is that talked her dad into having me restore this Luger for her. Here is his note to me (name with held for privacy)

Hi Ted,

[insert name] is my daughter. She is actually the reason I decided to restore the Luger. It had just sat around our home in a closet for many years. I showed it to her one day, and she just fell in love with the gun and it's history. Then, we saw the WWI movie "Warhorse" that was out at Christmas. After the movie, she asked me if "You'd put the Luger in your will for me someday". What Daddy could say no to that? :-) Anyways, I thought it would be special to restore it - so she'll really have something classy. When we were packing it up, she asked if she could write you a note (without prompting from me). I think it would mean a lot to her if you responded with a note when you send the Luger back. You could write as if it were her gun, because now it is.

Pretty AWESOME HUH? Thor

Thor · 02-23-2012, 12:35 PM

BEFORE PICTURES AND LINKS TO PICTURES:

http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF2.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF3.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF4.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF5.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF6.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF8.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF9.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF10.JPG

Thor · 02-23-2012, 12:56 PM

Der Schlagbolzen ist gebrochen.

http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF11.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF12.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF13.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF14.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF15.JPG

Thor · 02-23-2012, 01:06 PM

http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF16.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF17.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF18.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF19.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF20.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF21.JPG
http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF22.JPG

Douglas Jr. · 02-23-2012, 02:55 PM

Very nice story Ted!
Can we know the content of her personal note to you? I'm just curious... but if it's a private message, I can understand.

And let us see the final outcome!

Douglas

Thor · 02-23-2012, 03:16 PM

Sure Douglas, I will retype it because it has some personal info on the stationary.

"Dear Ted, Thanks so much for doing this! I love this gun & it's history. I am [name withheld]'s 12 year old daughter. How long have you been doing this? Do you own a luger? Do you restore other types of guns too? Thanks again!
[name withheld] "

alanint · 02-23-2012, 03:23 PM

I wonder what that gun has been through? How do you break a firing pin in this way?

9mm+P+?

Thor · 02-23-2012, 03:35 PM

Alanint, every time I talk to you I feel like I am talking to SMcQ, lol. I love your avatar! The gun is a commercial and is in 30 Luger. The breechblock is not damaged as far as I can tell as might be from an overload. I dont see a matching number on the block but I forget how these were done on Commercials. It is horizontal crown Nitro proofed on the left side of the block.

alanint · 02-23-2012, 03:41 PM

Well, some of my pistols look almost exactly like the photograph. Any other resemblance between me and SMcQ would be purely wishful thinking on my part!!!

The photo is a still from the movie "Never So Few" (1959).

TheRomanhistorian · 02-23-2012, 03:55 PM

Ted, what a wonderful note! I am sure she will be very mightily impressed by your work and it will be something she'll be proud of.

Douglas Jr. · 02-24-2012, 06:34 AM

Ted,

Thanks for transcribe the note.
I'm pretty sure that this girl (or everybody else) won't be disapointed with the result of this restoration.

Douglas

alanint · 02-24-2012, 07:30 AM

I think you really have to be born with that sense of history.....

lugerholsterrepair · 02-24-2012, 09:54 AM

Last Summer I got a very rusty pistol that had to be hammered apart with a wooden dowel down the barrel. My firing pin turned out just like this one after beating the pistol into submission. I then had to use an easy out to extract the pin from the breech block. I think..had I thought it over this may have been prevented..it's been some time since I did it but mechanically it should be possible to remove a part of the toggle that cocks the pistol and this part would be saved from the forces that broke it off.

Thor · 03-07-2012, 05:28 PM

Putting this one back together, really nice. Hugh did a superb job fixing and restoring the grips which had a missing safety chip on the left grip that was also cracked in two places. His work is just outstanding. Also have a brand new magazine for this nice commercial Luger from GT, with a walnut colored wood bottom perfect for a DWM Luger. WOW, you guys make these Lugers look great. Also, thanks to Tom Heller for a replacement firing pin. We went with a vented pin (WWII type) to replace the broken one. Will take a couple of dress up pictures of this Luger for a little lady in a day or two.
Here are the grips in the condition I found them when the gun was delivered to my shop for repairs.

Here are the grips after Hugh showing the cracks before repairs.

Neil Young · 03-07-2012, 07:24 PM

Thanks for this thread Ted. This old pistol hasn't led a pampered life, has it. I'm really looking forward to seeing the majic that is about to happen.

Neil

Douglas Jr. · 03-08-2012, 07:15 AM

Nice job, indeed!
Looking forward to see the final result...

Douglas.

Ice · 03-08-2012, 10:53 AM

Well Ted, I know that you will do your regular super job but it will be really special to her. That's what counts, isn't it. Looking forward to seeing the end job.

Charlie

Thor · 03-08-2012, 12:08 PM

Charlie I was so impressed by her and taking the time to write to me by hand. I am going to write a nice note back to her when I ship the Luger. I have a feeling this little lady will really enjoy her Luger for years to come.

Thor · 03-24-2012, 12:15 PM

Got a nice note from the owner today thrilled with the restoration. Made my day.

Back to the Vickers LTD and Navy Luger I am working on now. Hugh's grip work and GTs new replacement magazine icy on the cake!
Loving my job.

lugerholsterrepair · 03-24-2012, 12:45 PM

Loving my job.

You are a lucky man if you are Loving your job! Glad to hear it Ted..

02-23-2012, 12:15 PM	#1
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	1920 Commercial Restoration for a Young Lady This one just about broke my heart. What a sweet young lady this is that talked her dad into having me restore this Luger for her. Here is his note to me (name with held for privacy) Hi Ted, [insert name] is my daughter. She is actually the reason I decided to restore the Luger. It had just sat around our home in a closet for many years. I showed it to her one day, and she just fell in love with the gun and it's history. Then, we saw the WWI movie "Warhorse" that was out at Christmas. After the movie, she asked me if "You'd put the Luger in your will for me someday". What Daddy could say no to that? :-) Anyways, I thought it would be special to restore it - so she'll really have something classy. When we were packing it up, she asked if she could write you a note (without prompting from me). I think it would mean a lot to her if you responded with a note when you send the Luger back. You could write as if it were her gun, because now it is. Pretty AWESOME HUH? Thor __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-23-2012, 12:35 PM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	BEFORE PICTURES AND LINKS TO PICTURES: http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF2.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF3.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF4.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF5.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF6.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF8.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF9.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF10.JPG __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-23-2012, 12:56 PM	#3
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Der Schlagbolzen ist gebrochen. http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF11.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF12.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF13.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF14.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF15.JPG __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-23-2012, 01:06 PM	#4
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF16.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF17.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF18.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF19.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF20.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF21.JPG http://members.rennlist.org/lugerman/MSBF22.JPG __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-23-2012, 03:16 PM	#6
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Sure Douglas, I will retype it because it has some personal info on the stationary. "Dear Ted, Thanks so much for doing this! I love this gun & it's history. I am [name withheld]'s 12 year old daughter. How long have you been doing this? Do you own a luger? Do you restore other types of guns too? Thanks again! [name withheld] " __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-23-2012, 02:55 PM	#5
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Very nice story Ted! Can we know the content of her personal note to you? I'm just curious... but if it's a private message, I can understand. And let us see the final outcome! Douglas

02-23-2012, 03:23 PM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I wonder what that gun has been through? How do you break a firing pin in this way? 9mm+P+?

02-23-2012, 03:35 PM	#8
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Alanint, every time I talk to you I feel like I am talking to SMcQ, lol. I love your avatar! The gun is a commercial and is in 30 Luger. The breechblock is not damaged as far as I can tell as might be from an overload. I dont see a matching number on the block but I forget how these were done on Commercials. It is horizontal crown Nitro proofed on the left side of the block. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-23-2012, 03:41 PM	#9
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Well, some of my pistols look almost exactly like the photograph. Any other resemblance between me and SMcQ would be purely wishful thinking on my part!!! The photo is a still from the movie "Never So Few" (1959).

02-23-2012, 03:55 PM	#10
TheRomanhistorian User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 301 Thanks: 170 Thanked 88 Times in 64 Posts	Ted, what a wonderful note! I am sure she will be very mightily impressed by your work and it will be something she'll be proud of. __________________ Michael Nos morituri te salutant - Supposed saying of the gladiators to the emperor ('We, who are about to die, salute you.') 'We are the lantern bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind' - From Rosemary Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers

02-24-2012, 06:34 AM	#11
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Ted, Thanks for transcribe the note. I'm pretty sure that this girl (or everybody else) won't be disapointed with the result of this restoration. Douglas

02-24-2012, 07:30 AM	#12
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I think you really have to be born with that sense of history.....

02-24-2012, 09:54 AM	#13
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	Last Summer I got a very rusty pistol that had to be hammered apart with a wooden dowel down the barrel. My firing pin turned out just like this one after beating the pistol into submission. I then had to use an easy out to extract the pin from the breech block. I think..had I thought it over this may have been prevented..it's been some time since I did it but mechanically it should be possible to remove a part of the toggle that cocks the pistol and this part would be saved from the forces that broke it off. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-07-2012, 05:28 PM	#14
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Putting this one back together, really nice. Hugh did a superb job fixing and restoring the grips which had a missing safety chip on the left grip that was also cracked in two places. His work is just outstanding. Also have a brand new magazine for this nice commercial Luger from GT, with a walnut colored wood bottom perfect for a DWM Luger. WOW, you guys make these Lugers look great. Also, thanks to Tom Heller for a replacement firing pin. We went with a vented pin (WWII type) to replace the broken one. Will take a couple of dress up pictures of this Luger for a little lady in a day or two. Here are the grips in the condition I found them when the gun was delivered to my shop for repairs. Here are the grips after Hugh showing the cracks before repairs. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

03-07-2012, 07:24 PM	#15
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 540 Thanks: 546 Thanked 438 Times in 165 Posts	Thanks for this thread Ted. This old pistol hasn't led a pampered life, has it. I'm really looking forward to seeing the majic that is about to happen. Neil __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

03-08-2012, 07:15 AM	#16
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Nice job, indeed! Looking forward to see the final result... Douglas.

03-08-2012, 10:53 AM	#17
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Well Ted, I know that you will do your regular super job but it will be really special to her. That's what counts, isn't it. Looking forward to seeing the end job. Charlie

03-08-2012, 12:08 PM	#18
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Charlie I was so impressed by her and taking the time to write to me by hand. I am going to write a nice note back to her when I ship the Luger. I have a feeling this little lady will really enjoy her Luger for years to come. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

03-24-2012, 12:15 PM	#19
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Got a nice note from the owner today thrilled with the restoration. Made my day. Back to the Vickers LTD and Navy Luger I am working on now. Hugh's grip work and GTs new replacement magazine icy on the cake! Loving my job. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

03-24-2012, 12:45 PM	#20
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	Loving my job. You are a lucky man if you are Loving your job! Glad to hear it Ted.. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."